Having a mentor devoted to your growth is a huge advantage in this competitive world. If you have the privilege of openly asking tough questions, like "Why?" and "How?" and "Should I?"---what an advantage you have over individuals whose only resources are the managers in their direct chain of command. Every organization has its unwritten rules. They're not intended to be devious or debilitating. But they can be. A mentor is not the only way to learn the unwritten rules that determine success in your organization---trial and error works fairly well (takes a little longer and can be a bit painful). A good mentor can also help you learn the principles and approaches of effective leadership. Why aren't there more mentoring relationships? Maybe there will be after you read the attached article, "Find (and Be) a Mentor and Protege"! Dennis

An immediate way to motivate an individual to enhance his or her skills is to increase awareness about the given topic. And one of the most effective ways to raise awareness is to experience a paradigm shift. Does a paradigm shift lead to fresh success? That's the hypothesis of "Paradigm Shifts--An Explanation for Fresh Success?" I hope the article gives you a new perspective! Dennis